"Public education . . . is the best hope for keeping America functioning as a vibrant, strong democracy. We must continue to support it. . . If public education can't survive in towns like Concord and Carlisle it can't survive anywhere, and I fear for the republic."

—Carlisle Superintendent Davida Fox-Melanson

"I dream that . . . leadership at the state level would allow towns to adopt [a variation on] the income tax so not all our burden would be put on the regressive property tax. [That would] give relief to the towns in a different way."

"We cannot drive long-term residents out of town . . . because it doesn't make sense — it doesn't make economic . . . or ethical sense."

—Carlisle Selectman Tim Hult

On a budget for CCHS

"We had a mess on our hands last year and I don't think anyone [was] free of culpability . . . [and this year] we all need to share in the solution."

— Carlisle FinCom chair Larry Barton

On declines in state aid

"If the state lived up to its promises on [proposition] two and a half and regional transportation [aid] and Chapter 766 . . . none of the communities would be in this fix."

—Superintendent Eugene Thayer

"And I would add the federal government as well."

—Carlisle Superintendent Davida Fox-Melanson

On tension between Concord's school and finance committees

"We keep reading and hearing our costs are much higher than other systems . . . so we read the contract and ask why we are paying for sabbaticals and . . . why department heads teach only two classes per day . . . [and there's] frustration on the part of those paying the bill who haven't been treated to the answers."

—Concord FinCom Chair Dick Levinson

"Are you asking for the answer you want to hear rather than [the answer the school committee can provide]?"

—Audience member to Dick Levinson

"Concord is not a uniformly wealth community . . . we should be looking at base budgets to determine where economies can be made, and not settle for services as usual."

—Dick Levinson

"[The Concord finance committee is] at the mercy of administrators whose interest is not the taxpayers, and whose first loyalty is to the institutions [they are responsible for] . . ."

—Dick Levinson

"Given . . . the situation and . . . building needs we have the makings of the perfect storm within the two communities of Concord and Carlisle [over the next few years]"

— Acting SuperintendentEugene Thayer

On costs for teacher salaries

"Every year there's a clause [that makes salary increases] subject to funding by taxpayers, but it never gets into the contract."

— Acting SuperintendentEugene Thayer

"We invest in people . . . small class sizes and the ability for students to bond with any adult in the school is a prime determinant of [keeping kids in school]"

—Carlisle Superintendent Davida Fox-Melanson

On school fees

"I'm more concerned about the ninth grader who chooses not to participate [in extracurricular activity, to avoid paying a fee] and then two years later loses out in competition [for college admission]. You never know who that kid is."